For the first time, ProMat will have exhibits in both the South and North Hall of McCormick Place.
 
The ProMat show floor in the South Hall will be divided into solution-specific centers: Equipment and components for manufacturing/assembly logistics solutions, fulfillment and delivery solutions, and information technology (IT) solutions. Two new Solution Centers will be introduced at ProMat 2017, autonomous vehicle solutions and sustainable facility solutions. These two Solution Centers will be located in the North Hall of McCormick Place adjacent to the collocated Automate show.
 
The North Hall expansion area will feature town hall style education sessions. The area will also feature educational opportunities provided by the Reusable Packaging Association (RPA) and the updated U.S. Roadmap for Material Handling & Logistics.
"Supply chain sustainability is a top priority for leading firms and this is the area of the show floor where attendees can come to find solutions to reduce the energy consumption and carbon footprint of their operations," said Tom Carbott, MHI Senior Vice President of Exhibitions. These solutions include alternative and renewable energy and fuel systems, recyclable packaging and shipping materials, energy efficient lighting, high volume/low speed (HVLS) fans, energy efficient equipment and sensors, daylighting technologies, sustainable facility planning, and power regeneration technologies.
 
While autonomous vehicle and drone technology is still emerging, 59% of survey respondents in the recent 2016 MHI Annual Industry Report said that they are having at least some impact on supply chains, and 37% said it has the potential to provide competitive advantage or disrupt the industry. Adoption rates for autonomous vehicle and drone technologies are expected to grow to 50% over the next six to 10 years.
 
"Driverless (or autonomous) vehicles are technologies that are disrupting traditional supply chains," added Carbott. "In this center, attendees can see, touch and operate these solutions including automated storage and retrieval systems, automatic guided vehicle systems, driverless trucks, delivery drones and automated crane technologies." These two new Solutions Centers will also include a theater on the show floor which will hold educational sessions specific to these solutions.
 
Over 850 exhibitors will showcase their solutions on ProMat’s two show floors totaling over 360,000 square feet of manufacturing and supply chain solutions. ProMat exhibits will represent all segments of the material handling and logistics industry, from traditional, manual equipment to computerized, automated systems. ProMat 2017 will also feature a comprehensive educational conference including keynotes and show floor educational seminars led by industry experts and leading authorities.
 
ProMat is the largest international material handling, logistics and supply chain show and conference held in North America and South America. The event will be held April 3-6, 2017 at Chicago's McCormick Place.
 
About MHI
MHI is an international trade association that has represented the material handling, logistics and supply chain industry since 1945. MHI members include material handling and logistics equipment and systems manufacturers, integrators, consultants, publishers and third-party logistics providers. MHI offers education, networking and solution sourcing for their members, their customers and the industry as a whole through programming and events. The association sponsors the ProMat and MODEX expos to showcase the products and services of its member companies and to educate manufacturing and supply chain professionals.